This document provides a driving tour of one-room schoolhouses located in Texas County, Missouri. It lists 24 different one-room schoolhouses from the early 20th century, providing their names, locations, and current status. Many were built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and showcase fine stone craftsmanship. Several have been restored as community centers or private residences, while others remain in varying states of repair. The tour highlights the rural education history preserved in these historic schoolhouse buildings across Texas County.

1. Welcome A Driving Tour of One-Room School Houses in Texas County, Mo.

2. The Texas County, Mo., Genealogical &Historical Society has a document labeled “1924 School Districts, Texas County, Mo.” The document lists 140 rural school districts that are one-room schools. There are six “High Schools-3rd class, including Raymondville, Ozark, White Rock, Elk Creek, Shady Grove, and Gravel Point. Plato is listed as “High School-2nd Class.” The list concludes with four “High Schools-1st Class,” which include Summersville, Cabool, Licking, and Houston. Please enjoy your tour of the Texas County One-Room Schools!

3. Oak Hill

4. Oak Hill School Located north of Houston on the NE corner of Hwy. E and Tiffany Drive is Oak Hill School, a beautiful example of WPA stone craftsmanship. Oak Hill school is now a private residence, so please respect the owners’ privacy.

5. Mt. Vernon

6. Mt. Vernon School Proceeding north of Raymondville on Hwy. 137, and just west of Oscar on Clayton Road is Mt. Vernon School, now a community center. The building is well maintained, and even has its original bell tower.

7. Tyrone School

8. Tyrone School Located on Hwy. H between Highways DD and 137 is Tyrone School, now a community center. It is in good condition.

9. Pleasant Grove School

10. Pleasant Grove School Located on Cross Road just north of Malberg Road east of Hwy. 63, Pleasant Grove School is now a private residence. It was built by the WPA, and is an example of fine stone craftsmanship.

11. Fowler School

12. Fowler School Located NW of Cabool at Hwy. MM and Fowler Drive is Fowler School, now used as a church.

13. Gravel Point School

14. Gravel Point School NW of Cabool at Hillside and Gravel Point Roads is Gravel Point School. It was built by the WPA and was a “Job High School.” After students attended two or three years of high school, they could attend Houston or Mountain Grove and graduate with a high school diploma. It is another example of WPA stone craftsmanship, and is a private residence.

15. Lone Star School

16. Lone Star School Located in a pasture along Hwy. M, across from Bado Road north of Cabool, is Lone Star School. It is still standing, but in tough condition.

17. Barnum (Rackett Ridge) School

18. Barnum School Also known as Rackett Ridge, it is located on Rackett Ridge Drive, just off Barnum Drive, north of Bado on Hwy. M. It was used as a church, community center, and for many events that earned its’ second name, “Rackett Ridge.”

19. Alice School

20. Alice School Located on Highways M/38 north of Cabool and west of Houston, Alice School has been lovingly restored by the Maxine Allen family. Maxine has the original teachers desk and chair and the students desks in storage, and when time and resources permit will finish the interior.

21. Number One School

22. Number One School Located behind the church at Astoria Road and Hwy. M just east of Roby, Number One School is still standing but quite abandoned.

23. Long Valley School

24. Long Valley School SW of Success just off Long Valley Road from Hwy. AE is the Long Valley School. Built by the WPA, the beautiful stone work and spider web design (the raised grout added to the mortar between the rocks) is a stunning example of WPA stone craftsmanship. The Long Valley School is a private residence and not accessible to the public.

25. Timber Ridge School

26. Timber Ridge School Located SW of Success on Hwy. M is Timber Ridge School. The Timber Ridge School is another WPA stone building. It has an addition and is a private residence.

27. Gladden School

28. Gladden School Located just west of Success on Hwy. M is Gladden School. Built by the WPA, Gladden School is a field stone building with the spider web raised grout line and one of the finer examples of WPA rock work. Gladden School is a private residence.

29. Liberty School

30. Liberty School West of Success and south of Plato on Turley Road is Liberty School. It is in dangerously poor condition.

31. Pine Ridge School

32. Pine Ridge School Located off Lynch Road between Bucyrus and Ellis Prairie is Pine Ridge School. It is in good condition. It is on private property and not accessible to the public.

33. Oak Grove School

34. Oak Grove School Located west of Simmons on Hwy. Z is Oak Grove School. I was also called Lone Star School. It is in good condition and now serves as a community center.

35. Brown Hill School

36. Brown Hill School From Emmett Kelley on Hwy. 63 in Houston, go east on Brushy Creek Road 3 miles, then left on Brown Hill Road 1/8 mile to the Brown Hill School. It is one of the schools we have located that has had minimal changes since becoming a private residence. It even has the original playground equipment! It would be a great candidate for restoration.

37. Murr School

38. Murr School North of Cabool on Hwy. M, just past the Piney Creek by Bado, go west on Murr Road 3 miles to the Murr School. There has been nothing done to the school since the last classes were held. The owner is interested in restoring the school.

39. ENJOY YOUR DRIVING TOUR! This One-Room School Driving Tour was prepared by Peter Maki for the Top of the Ozarks RC&D in December 2010. There are one-room schools still to be located and added to this tour. Only a few of the schools are community centers with the majority of the schools located on private property and several being private residences. Please respect the owner’s privacy.